Puzzle.



J. H. OBEBN. PUZZLE.

(AppXication filed Mar. 25; 1901.

(No Model.)

Patented July 8, I902.

UNiTnD STATES V PATENT OFFICE.

JOSHUA II. OBERN, OF NEW BRIGHTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 704,089, dated July 8, 1902.

Application filed March 29, 1901. Serial No. 53,517. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSHUA H. OBERN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New Brighton, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in puzzles, and relates particularly to that class of puzzles having a series or number of tablets or blocks bearing on their surfaces certain numerals, figures, marks, configurations, or symbols which are designed to match with or bear a resemblance to the numerals, figures, marks, configurations, or symbols on adjacent tablets or blocks when the latter have been properly arranged within a box in which they are movable.

Myinvention comprises a box with twentyfour numbered or marked tablets or blocks and one blank block, the present illustration of the invention showing the marks on the blocks as consisting of four figures or numerals. These figures or numerals are arranged in different relations on each of the twenty-four blocks, the blocks to be moved within their box so as to bring the numeral or numerals on one block into adjacent registration with the corresponding numeral or numerals on the adjacent block or blocks.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a detail perspective View of my improved puzzle, showing the blocks arranged within the box in their registering position, said view illustrating the position the blocks occupy when the solution of the puzzle has been obtained. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View of one of the blocks. Fig. 3 is a like view of the blank or unmarked block.

The puzzle consists, essentially, of twentyfour marked blocks A, which are substantially square and are each provided on their upper face with numerals or figures l, 2, 3, a, and separated by diagonal lines B, as shown. These twenty-four numbered blocks are arranged Within a suitable box 0 and are movable within said box upon the removal therefrom of the blank block D, the latter being of the same size as the numbered blocks.

It will be observed that when the blank block D has been removed the numbered blocks or tablets may be shifted within the box to different positions, though in solving the puzzle the numbered blocks are to be,

placed therein in such a manner that the corresponding numerals on adjacent blocks will register, and all marks or numerals on the blocks must be in their proper upright position. In the solving of the puzzle the blank block can be placed to any figure or any figure can be placed to the blank. In the solution of the puzzle, as shown, this blank block is shown arranged centrally of the box, though it might be made to occupy a different position and still have the numbered blocks in proper registration.

In operation the blocks are preferably all removed from the box and are then to be replaced therein in proper registration to the numbers on the different blocks. As heretofore stated, the blocks maybe shifted within the box as long as one or more of the blocks or tablets remain nnplaced therein.

Six of the blocks have the numeral 1 in the lower space, six in the upper space, six in the right-hand space, and the remaining six have the numeral 1 arranged in the left-hand space. The numeral 2 appears in the top space of six of the blocks, in the bottom space of six other blocks, in the righthand space of another six blocks, and in the left-hand space of the remaining six blocks. The numeral 3 is provided in the top space of six of the blocks, in the bottom space of six other blocks, in the right-hand space of six other blocks, and in the left-hand space of the last six blocks. The space at the top of six of the blocks, at the bottom of six other blocks, at the right-hand side of six other blocks, and at the left hand of the remaining six blocks bears the numeral 4. This arrangement of the numerals is essential in order to admit of matching thenumerals in subjacent spaces of contiguous blocks in both vertical and horizontal lines, substantially as shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A game puzzle comprising twenty five blocks of uniform size formed into a square having five blocks at each edge, each of the blocks being divided into four triangular spaces by diagonal lines, the center block having its four spaces blank, the remaining twenty-four blocks having the numerals 1, 2, 3 and 4 in vertical position, six of the blocks having the numeral 1 in the bottom space, six in the right-hand space, six in the left-hand space and the remaining six in the top space, the numeral 2 appearing in the right-hand space of six blocks, in the left-hand space of six other blocks, in the top space of another six and in the bottom space of the last six blocks, the numeral 3 being provided on each of the blocks in the bottom space of six, in the top space of six, in the right-hand space of six and in the left-hand space of the remaining six, and the numeral 4 in the right-hand space of six of the blocks, in the left-hand space of six other blocks, in

the top space of the last six blocks, substantially as set forth, whereby the numerals of subjacent spaces of contiguous blocks may match in vertical and horizontal lines when the blocks are arranged in square form, substantially as herein shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSHUA H. OBERN. Witnesses: 1

WILLIAM K. STEFFEY, CHARLES W. DUFF. 

